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The change follows a landmark guideline published jointly in 2024 by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), the British Thoracic Society (BTS), and the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN).

For decades, the familiar blue inhaler has been a vital treatment for millions of people living with asthma. However, clinicians now recognise that relying on it too heavily can actually worsen the condition, and a major shift in asthma care is already improving outcomes for patients.

The guideline recommends moving away from the traditional blue inhaler — medically known as a short-acting beta2 agonist (SABA) — and towards combination inhalers that not only relieve symptoms but also treat the underlying inflammation responsible for asthma attacks.

According to specialists, the issue with SABA inhalers is that they can temporarily mask symptoms without addressing the root cause. Excessive use has been associated with an increased risk of asthma attacks, hospital admissions, and even death. In England, almost half (48%) of people prescribed blue inhalers in 2024–25 received more than two inhalers during the year — a level regarded by experts as a warning sign of poor asthma control.

With well-controlled asthma, patients should experience few or no symptoms and only rarely need to use a reliever inhaler.

First needle-free option for anaphylaxis treatment in the UK: Anaphylaxis UK

Needle-Free Adrenaline Nasal Spray Approved for use in the UK

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has given the green light to EURneffy® — the UK’s first adrenaline nasal spray designed for the emergency treatment of anaphylaxis in adults and children weighing 30kg or more. This innovative, needle-free option is expected to be introduced by the end of 2025, offering a new way for people at risk of severe allergic reactions to carry life-saving medication.